Work-at-height training provider Height Wise Training Academy has invested about R60 000 in the infrastructure and equipment of a training facility, in Midrand, Gauteng, which is equipped to train fall-arrest technicians and level 1 to 3 rope access technicians.

The facility, which is a first for the academy, has been operational for four months and provides Height Wise clients with a simulated work-at-height training environment when on-site training facilities are not available.

Height Wise director Penny Fabricius says the facility will support the work-at-height sector’s efforts to recognise the Institute for Work At Height (IWH) as an official licensing body.

She explains that the IWH professional body will ensure that training is in line with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, No 85 of 1993, as well as the standards set by the South African Qualifications Authority.

Fabricius employs expert rope access technicians from diverse backgrounds with international experience as instructors at the new facility.

Skyriders level 3 rope access technician Jansen Madike has been a trainer since 2008 and believes the accessibility of the facility and its resources facilitate rope access training, assisting him as a trainer.

Level 2 rope access technician and constituent assessor and moderator Louis Roodt designed the Height Wise training facility, which is able to accommodate three to four groups of ten when providing fall-arrest training. However, only six individuals are trained at a time when qualifying as a rope access technician because of the intensive nature of the training.

“Trainees are required to perform an array of manoeuvres, therefore, space was a significant factor in the design of the facility. There are about ten accredited work-at-height training providers in South Africa, with more applying for accreditation; however, there are also many providers that are not accredited.”

Height Wise is an accredited training provider that complies with both IWH and Sector Education Training Authority standards.

Skyriders and Height Wise marketing manager Mike Zinn says, traditionally, work-at-height training is provided in Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria, while the Height Wise training facility provides a location closer to the Johannesburg central business dis- trict.

“The facility is also important to Skyriders in that it enables the company to ensure that its rope access technicians remain competent and continue meeting safety standards,” he concludes.

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